Conner Hempel and Olivia Rink were married on a gorgeous day on August 28, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. This day was completely and totally captivating — truly one of the most stunning weddings Reel Special has had the honor of filming.
Conner and Olivia were married at a beautiful ceremony and reception in Indiana.
Our paths first crossed with Olivia five years ago when we filmed a styled wedding shoot at Castle & Key (the former Old Taylor Distillery) in Frankfort, Kentucky. Since that time, we’ve loved following Olivia on Instagram along with many others, and we were so excited when our friend Alicia with Aesthetiica Photography moved from Kentucky to Chicago and became fast friends with Olivia. Needless to say, we were so thrilled when Olivia reached out to us about filming her and Conner’s wedding day!
The wedding weekend finally arrived, so we made the drive to Indiana and started filming preparations at Olivia’s childhood home. Olivia’s bridesmaids and bridesboys were all such a joy to be around, and it was so special to capture the preparations in a place that is so special to Olivia.
After Olivia put on her wedding gown, she did a first look with her Dad and the moment basically brought us all to tears (especially when the song “Edelweiss” came on…her Dad lost it and it was the sweetest thing ever!). Olivia also had her grandmother (Nani) come in…and the tears just kept flowing. One of the things we love the most about capturing preparations and including them in the wedding video is the fact that by the time the day is over, there are so many wonderful moments that can be relived with exact clarity when they otherwise may be overshadowed. We love that Olivia, Conner, and their loved ones will all get to watch and enjoy every aspect of their day forever!
Conner and Olivia’s wedding reception was held at Palais Royale, a magnificent theatre and ballroom in South Bend, Indiana.
Following the first looks with her family and bridal party, everyone headed to St. Pius Catholic Church where Conner was anxiously awaiting the moment he would see his bride for the first time on their wedding day. Olivia and Conner chose not to do a first look, and y’all…Conner’s reaction when he saw Olivia might be one of the best reactions we have ever captured for a wedding video! The ceremony was beautiful and the priest gave a wonderful and heartfelt message for the couple.
The reception was held at the Palais Royale in downtown South Bend, Indiana. This venue was absolutely incredible, and it was made even more spectacular by Big City Bride, a luxury wedding and event planner based in Chicago who also happens to be a relative of Olivia’s. From the chandelier to the centerpieces and everything in between, the ballroom was a complete fairytale. Conner and Olivia’s reaction was priceless when they stepped into the ballroom before the reception began!
The reception was so. much. fun. Amazing music filled the space thanks to Barnstorm (an epic band from New York), and the newlyweds danced the night away with all their loved ones. It was a PERFECT night topped off by a UK pyramid (a tradition by Kentucky cheerleaders), flashing glow sticks, a party dress change, and so much more…we wished this night never ended!
Olivia and her fellow University of Kentucky cheerleaders wowed wedding guests with the Wildcat Pyramid at the reception!
Conner and Olivia, we LOVED filming your wedding! We hope that as you look back on your wedding video you will be able to relive and cherish your amazing day as if it were yesterday. We are so honored and grateful that you chose us to capture it, and we wish you all the best for many years to come!
Wedding Vendors
Wedding Video: Reel Special
Wedding Photography: Aesthetiica
Wedding Planner: Big City Bride
Venue: Palais Royale
Catering: Navarre Catering
Wedding Gown: Berta
Party Dress: Birenzweig (Chicago at Bella Bianca Bridal Couture
Veil: Sara Gabriel Designs
Jewelry: Lindsay Marie Design
Groom/Groomsmen’s Tuxes: Balani Custom
Hair and Makeup: Rarebird Beauties
Flowers: Poppies
Cake: Macri’s Italian Bakery
Band: Barnstorm
Lighting/Audio/Visual: Proshow
Rentals/Linens: Burns
Live Painter: Stephanie Hilen Art
Transportation: Second Nature Limo & US Coachways
Late Night Food: McDonald’s
